Improvement in steering-apparatus



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WIELCOME GILKEY', OF VATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS.

Lette/rs Patent No. 86,065, dated Januar/ry 19, 1869.

INIPROVENIENT IN STEERING-APPARATUS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all wlwm'it lmtr/y concern Be it known that I, WELCOME GILKEY, of Watertown, in the county of Middlesex, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new Improvement in the Steering-Apparatus for Vessels; and I hereby declare that the following isa full and exact description of the same, and refer to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference thereon marked, as parts of this specification, of which-- Figure l is a perspective view'of the steering-appar ratns, showing all the parts essential to be represented in the drawing.

The letter A represents the base on which the apparatus stands;

c, the rudder-head;

b, the cog-wheel connected therewith;

c o, the frame on which rests the rudder-head;

d d, its upright part, on which rests the steeringapparatus;

e, the driving-shaft;

ff, the worm-screws on the driving-shaft;

y g, the upright shafts, connecting the driving-shaft with the cog-wheel b h It, their upper pinions;

h h', their lower pinions, operating the drivingshaft and the cog-wheel; n

fi, the steering-wheel; and

lc k, stays to the frame d d.

Great diiculty has been experienced in constructing a perfect or even satisfactory steering-apparatus for ships and other vessels.

This invention is novel in its application of power to the rudder-head, allowing the rudder to rise andfall freely; in the power brought to bear on the rudder by a slight turn ofthe wheel; and in the construction and arrangement of its several parts, and their combinations.

I will proceed to explain it, and also show its superiority.

By referring to the accompanying drawings, almost the entire apparatus will be clearly seen.

-A is the base, placed on the deck, upon which rests the apparatus, the same being placed on a suitable part of the deck..

Upon the base is fastened a metallic or suitable horizontal frame, as c c, partially seen in the drawing; and upon this rests the rudder-head a, with its cog-wheel b.

To this horizontal frame is fastened, as a part of the same, the upright frame d d, which supports the working-apparatus. l

The rudder head a, which is also a part oi the cogwheel b, extends its shaft down through the deck or decks, having oats vconnected. therewith, 1n the ordi nary way.

Upon he driving-shaft e, at each end, are placed worm-gears, which mesh into the pinions h. h, upon the upright shafts g g, communicating motion to the cogwheel b.

The driving-shaft e, also, is so constructed that a' wheel may be worked on each end when necessary.

The upright shafts g g are placed on opposite sides of the driving-shaft. This gives greater security and unii'orm motion, keeping the gear in place, distributing also inoreevenly the friction of the gear. The upright shafts g g may extend through to the second' deck in large vessels, if desirable, and a second steering apparatus be placed on the second deck-' the one above the other.

By placingthe worm-gear on the driving-shaft, slight motion at the wheel will communicate power to the rudder-head, moving the rudder, while great force, from heavy seas striking upon the rudder, will scarcely affect the steering-wheel.

This construction of the steering-apparatus loses no power, and the power can be placed more on the rudder-head, and the arrangement of the gear on the wheelb, and the gear on the upright shafts g g, allows the rudder to rise and fall without injury to the gear. It also has the same power when hard up or hard down. All other steering-apparatus loses powei' as it goes from midships.

y In ships of three or four decks, der can be placed between decks, and it is not so apt to twist off the rudder-head, or, at least, very much lessens the danger of twisting off the rudder-head.

Two wheels, as above stated, can be used, which no other patent claims.

This steeriugapparatus will occupy the space of five feet on deck, as ordinarily'nsed. 4

Seven turns of the wheel will put the rudder from hard up to hard down, and this is as rapid as any patent can possibly accomplish.

This apparatus also will apply equally well to a fullpoop ship or a three-deck ship, as the part going on the rudder goes between.

In caseof a break-down, or injury to the gear, by putting a barrel or cylinder on the driving-shari', e, between the upright parts of' the frame c c, one can be ready to ship a tiller-block, and steer by ropes, removing the upright shafts.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to 'secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination and arrangement of the several parts of the steering-apparatus, to wit, the parts a and b, the parts g g, with their pihions, It h, h"h', the parts e, and ff, and t, together with the frame d d and c c, whereby great power is brought to bear vupon the rudder-head at c, with little force at li, and whereby the the part on the rnd midships, is hard up, or hard down, substantially as and fox` the purpose described.

- WELCOME GILKEY. Witnesses:

J. L. NEWTON, Honnos E. Mense.

same power is retained,.whether the rudder goes from 

